BXBX NOVEL Chapter 178: A Ruthless Person
Han Yu’s promotion was a joyous occasion, and every servant in the home was brimming with happiness. However, trouble soon followed, as hosting guests in celebration of the promotion was unavoidable. Su Wenyue, nearly five months pregnant and expecting twins, was someone Han Yu did not wish to overburden, so he entrusted the banquet arrangements to Aunt Li and Grandma Chen. Su Wenyue, while trusting their abilities, still worried about potential oversights and took up the work herself whenever she had the energy.
Seeing that Su Wenyue insisted, and these days her morning sickness had abated, she was eating and sleeping well, and looked much more energetic. Furthermore, she was careful not to overexert herself, so Han Yu did not stop her. A daughter-in-law with the ability to manage affairs was naturally more meticulous and reliable than servants.
On the twenty-third of August, a day of rest, visitors arrived with gifts in hand. Han Yu entertained the male guests at the front, while Su Wenyue, unable to be active because of the children in her stomach, had to sit and greet the female guests. The plan had been for Grandma Chen and Aunt Li to take care of everything else.
Madame Liu Zhao had a sharp eye and, along with Mrs. Wei Li and Mrs. Yao Qin, arrived early to help Su Wenyue host the guests. Compared to the two old women servants, her assistance was much more dignified and thorough, and Su Wenyue was grateful.
Lord Fang and his wife did not come. Lord Fang himself was not a magnanimous man and was quite upset with Han Yu’s sudden change in demeanor, feeling that Han Yu’s rapid promotion despite being new to the military camp was deeply unfair, decrying the unfairness of the heavens and the darkness of officialdom. Madame Fang Chen, having lost face over the incident at the County government, harbored a deep hatred for Su Wenyue. Had Su Wenyue been in trouble, she might have come to gloat, but with a celebration at Su Wenyue’s house, she had no interest in attending, not even sending a representative with congratulatory gifts.
Zhou Wang felt the same as she came with Lord Zhou, beaming with joy as if the celebration was for her own family. It seemed as if her prior grievance with Su Wenyue had never existed. Su Wenyue had to admire Zhou Wang’s tenacity; this woman was too ambitious and too enduring, willing to sacrifice dignity for her goals, an attitude that Su Wenyue did not agree with or dare underestimate. Such a woman was truly dangerous, capable of anything.
“Madam Han is truly blessed. Not only is Lord Han young and handsome, but he is also so capable. In just a short time after entering the military camp, he has been promoted twice, advancing to Deputy Lieutenant of the Seventh Rank. Both his ability and fortune are undeniable. Besides, Lord Han is also deeply loyal to you, Madam Han. We can’t help but envy you,” said a lady.
“Indeed, in our families, once fortunes improve, isn’t it common to take in concubines and mistresses? Only Lord Han has kept himself clean,” another lady said enviously.
“But, Madam Han, we’re all experienced in these matters, and I must advise you. You’ll be pregnant for nearly a year, unable to attend to Lord Han. It’s necessary to have someone at Lord Han’s side. A young man in his prime can only hold out for so long. If a wildflower outside catches his attention, it won’t end well. It’s better to choose an obedient one, secure her body contract, and you won’t have to worry about her causing any mischief,” said the lady, clearly seasoned in dealing with concubines, keen to impart her wisdom upon Su Wenyue, thereby demonstrating her supposed superiority.
Su Wenyue was rather speechless and couldn’t outright refuse without causing trouble, as doing so might lead to rumors the next day about Lieutenant Han’s wife being overly jealous. Internally, though, she was indeed annoyed.
“Hehe, I know you all mean well. However, this matter is not something I can decide on my own. It’s really up to what our family Head thinks. Lord Han is very decisive and does not put much stock in female beauty. If I were to arbitrarily arrange something, he’d be upset, which I really dare not risk,” responded Su Wenyue, donning the appearance of a submissive daughter-in-law in public.
“Madam Han is being modest. I believe Lord Han treats you very well. As our husband says, even when Lord Han is busy, he tries to spend time with Madam Han every day, which shows how much he values you. You wouldn’t be trying to push away the idea of arranging someone to serve by your husband’s side, which is why you’re giving this excuse, right? That wouldn’t do at all. The thing we women must avoid at all costs is jealousy. Madam Han, don’t fall into that trap,” the lady said, her tone patronizing, clearly with an ulterior motive. No one would normally interfere so brazenly in another’s personal affairs. Even a genuine offer of advice would be brief, but her intent was clearly to embarrass Su Wenyue and tarnish her reputation.
Those present caught on to this, and most reveled in the disaster. Envy was prevalent regarding Han Yu’s rise. Many didn’t feel Han Yu had demonstrated any remarkable talents but had merely flattered his way above them, a promotion they begrudgingly accepted yet could not stomach, masking their jealousy with forced celebration. The pleasure they took in seeing someone challenging Su Wenyue was palpable.
Su Wenyue’s expression darkened. She was not one to suffer in silence. Had this woman been the wife of one of Han Yu’s superiors, Su Wenyue might have played along for Han Yu’s sake, but sadly she was not. Su Wenyue had her own recollections of this woman, and her lips curled into a scornful smile.
“Whether I’m confused or not, it’s not the place of a lower officer’s wife to lecture me. First, put your own house in order before meddling in others’! You accuse me of jealousy, yet I have neither abused nor harmed any concubine or mistresses, nor have I made any of their children disappear.”
“That’s because Lord Han doesn’t have any mistresses or concubines. Naturally, you can afford to talk smugly,” retorted the lady, her rank being just Genuine Eighth Rank, yet showing little respect to Su Wenyue.
Su Wenyue surmised some of the underlying reasons, but no matter what, she was not going to let a lower officer’s wife trample over her. Otherwise, others would also feel emboldened to step on her in the future, not only disgracing herself but also bringing shame to Han Yu. Anyone aiming to slap her face deserved a strong slap in return—a warning to all those who took joy in her troubles that Su Wenyue was not to be trifled with.
“Yes, my husband is chaste and has no intention of keeping a concubine or mistress. As his wife, I am in the position to speak of such things, but as for you, Madam Wang, a woman who cruelly disposed of Lord Wang’s concubine and killed his illegitimate child, what face do you have to stand here accusing me? Under the gaze of everyone here, do you not feel any shame? And I wonder, does that deceased child come to haunt you for retribution at night?”
Madam Wang was no saint herself, and Su Wenyue remembered her in particular because of her ‘sins’ listed in the documents she had read, which detailed over two pages just how ruthlessly she tormented her husband’s concubines and mistresses. At that time, Su Wenyue thought her to be a truly vicious person.